The success of many books is due to the affinity between the mediocrity of the author's ideas and those of the public.

The success of many books is due to the affinity between the mediocrity of the author's ideas and those of the public

When a man and a woman have an overwhelming passion for each other, it seems to me, in spite of such obstacles dividing them as parents or husband, that they belong to each other in the name of Nature, and are lovers by Divine right, in spite of human convention or the laws.

The contemplative life is often miserable. One must act more, think less, and not watch oneself live.

All passions exaggerate; and they are passions only because they do exaggerate.

Most of those who make collections of verse or epigram are like men eating cherries or oysters: they choose out the best at first, and end by eating all.